The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-07-22
miscellaneous.
A SUCCESSFUL SEANCE,
BY GARTAN POSE.

BY GARTAN POSE.
Mr.. Clithers sat 10 his private office dust q
corner partitoned off the great grain and
meal store, in the thriving town Of Bellevue,
iii. AS he sat at ease in the armchair, scan
ming with his keen blue eyes the choice items
of news in his morning paper, he looked
every inch the shrewd business man he was.
Socially he and his wife stood In the front
rank.
One half-columu article in the paper seemed
to interest him beyond all. 1t was brief
account of mnd-reading exhibition given
in an Eastern city.
Now, that is very remarkable" comment
ed Mr.. Clithers, mentally. There Is no trick
about it, either. think the exhibition proved
il can be done. Gracious what revolution
if every one could become a mind reader
But suppose he must have gift"
Just then some painful thought seemed TO
inlrude upon his mind. for he frowned. and
then, throwing the newspaper aside, he arose
about him, he slipped key into drawer
and pulled it out. A pile OF bills lay in the
inside. He shut 1t again quickly, and locked
it.
80 it is still there" he muttered. by
Jove! Id give anything to find out who's
been robbing me lately. I wonder IL thai
mnd-reader could tell ME, or is it only guy
or trickP wish could get mind-reader
to try his skill ON this racket; know 1t has
baffied me-"
Now it is always well to consider whether
we really want thing before we express Q
haphazard desire for it, because sometimes
that eternal school teacher, Fate takes II
into her head to accede ut once. At least
she apparently did in this case, for, as Mr..
Clithers turned aside from Ills desk, the door
opened, and q tall individual, arrayed In close.
buttoned frock- coat and soft felt hat, advanced
with light step, and presented his card.
Mr.. Cllthers read with perceptible start
the words:
civilian WILLS CARDINAL,
MIND READER"
The latter, with one comprehensive glance
around the Office, removed his hat, and calm
ly seated himself, not failing to note, indeed,
the effect his card had upon Mr.. Clithers,
That gentleman, after staring at the card
some Time, at length looked his visitor over,
but got little qualification from bis inspection.
A full beard covered the lower part OF Mr..
CARDINALS face and the upper part, showing
two high cheek-bones and peculiar hooked
nose, pinched at the point, with o pair of
very brilliant eyes, gave him a hungry look
not at all prepossessing.
He smiled in superior way at Mr.. Clith-
ers's scrutiny.
"Perhaps you wonder why have called"
lie remarked, in full but low tone. II will
tell you. propose to give seance In this
town, and wish 10 enlist the aid Of the very
best people, in order that it may bes success.
Do not mistake me; am not working,for
money, l merely wish TO test my wonderful
power before an audience composed only of
the most intelligent and cultured people Of
Bellevue" go.
Sand you really are mind-readerf"
81 am only an amateur as yet. sir, but
feel the power Is 10 me. i have given exbi-
billions before physicians, men Of science and
others. / have letters from presidents of col
leges and many literary men. Are you &C.
quainted with the President OF the Weehaw-
ken State University"
Mr.. Cllthers confessed that he was not.
There is letter from him." continued the
mind-reader, pickingit out from package
drawn from his pocket.
Mr.. Clithers read It, 1t seemed satisfactory,
and he did not doubt the man at all. He was
thinking deeply, though.
Now, my dear sir" went on CARDINAL, Il
shall have to throw myself on your good ma
'ture. / desire 10 invite to the seance only
the cultured and wealthy people of this town
all those who move In good society, In
fact-and must have their names and ad-
dresses"
II have list of those l invited to ball
recently, If that will do" said Mr.. Clithers,
who could see no good reason for refu ling,
and who was perfectly alive to the social
ecat of introducing this lion to bis friends.
"rhe very thing. will fix the date for the
evening of the day after tomorrow. am
extremely obliged to you for your great kind
ness to perfect stranger, and If I could do
anything to show"
you can" said Clithers; "by your mind
reading"
"Ahl and how can that beH
Clthers drew his chair close to his visitor
and spoke almost in q whisper.
For the past month have been missing
money from that drawer In the desk there.
1t is evidently taken whenever ! leave the
Office. have always TO keep q certain
amount of money on hand TO make change,
aud look it up when / go out. Yet I find
that somehow it is opened in my absence and
five or ten dollars taken. ] have watched
and said nothing about 1t, but have failed
even 10 suspect any one. Now, can you tell
me who stole that money!
Mr.. CARDINAL seemed uneasy. He hitched
his chair back, and hemmed and hawed.
why, you see," he finally said, that 10
rather an awkward test. / should have TO
read the mind Of every employee and friend
you have. Then, again, / should have TO be-
come acquainted thoroughly with this office,
so that could see 1t plainly In connection
with any one else's mind. / am willing 10
try"
"If you succeed, will pay you one hun-
bred dollars"
81 want no reward, sir / shall be only too
happy to try. And supposing that begin at
once to convey the impression Of this office
to my mind, IL will be necessary that yon 20
out, sr-evcn out of the building-snd will,
as it were, take possession Of the office. Then
it will become fixed on my mind"
Just for one moment Mr.. Clithers hesltated,
but the mans brilliant eyes were upon him.
and he acquiesced,
"You need be gone only ten minutes" was
the gracious remark OF Mr.. Cardinal as Olith-
ers went out.
In thirty seconds bis retiring footsteps had
died away, and quick as flash the mind
reader slipped across to an old-fashioned safe
that stood 10 the corner, and bent over Il. A
grim smile played over his face. Then noise
lessly he turned to the desk, and was Just
putting his hand to the money drawer, when
q slight rustic came to his ear. With the
light tread of panther he crossed the room
and dropped silently into chair that was
behind the door. II opened inward, and the
next instant there was louder rustic, and
tha donr ma ptohod ora,, n ., incl, ~ az NJ